A Prayer for Justice in Our Foster Care System

Praying for Peace and Justice on April 14, 2024

God, We pray for the foster care system in our state and country. We pray that You be with all members of the foster system, along every step of the way, and through every difficult situation. We pray for case workers and social workers, that they have wisdom and tenderness when caring for needy families. We pray for lawmakers and judges who work in foster care cases, that they have insight and mercy for families in crisis. We pray for foster homes, that they would be blessed in taking care of foster kids. 

Lord, we know that you care for all these people and know their struggles and needs. We pray for them in your name, amen.

From: https://www.beautifulredemption.com/simple-prayers-to-pray-for-foster-families

Background

Here’s what I learned from the Annie E. Casey Foundation (Foster Care – The Annie E. Casey Foundation (aecf.org)):

Foster care is meant to provide safe, temporary living arrangements and support services for children who have been removed from their families due to maltreatment, lack of safety or inadequate care.

• In 2021, 203,770 children under 18 entered foster care in the United States, a rate of 3 per 1,000.
• A total of 391,641 children and youth were living in foster care in 2021, a figure that has been declining since 2017.
• 44% of foster children are placed with nonrelative foster families.  Placements with relatives increased from 25% to 35% during 2000–2021, while placements in group homes or other facilities were cut in half, from 18% to 9%. 
• But over a third of foster children and youth experience more than two placements each year, meaning their living arrangements change at least three times a year.
• And there are 113,000 kids in the U.S. waiting for adoption and more than 19,000 youth aged out of foster care in 2021.

  • The transition to adulthood is a significant and challenging developmental phase of life for all young people, but youth aging out of foster care on their own must face this without the support of a stable, loving family. 
  • Many also lose access to services and supports offered through the foster care system.
  •  Not surprisingly, these youth and young adults are more likely to experience behavioral, mental and physical health issues, housing problems and homelessness, employment and academic difficulties, early parenthood, incarceration and other potentially lifelong adversities, and youth of color are more likely to experience these challenges.